Improvement in cartridge-boxes



M. v. B. WHITE.

Cartridge-Box.

Patented Feb. 14, I865.

Inventor MPETERS, PHDTO-LITHOGRAPHifi, WASHINGTON: D C

the spring D with the cartridges thereon, as

PATENT OFFICE.

MARTIN V. B. WHITE,

UF TROY, NEIV YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN CARTRIDGE-BOXES.

Specification torming part of Letters Patent No. 46,4 1 I, dated February 14, 1865.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, MARTIN V. B. WHITE, of the city of Troy, county of Rensselaer, and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Cartridge-Box; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being hereby had to the accompanying drawings, which make a part of this specification.

Like letters represent and refer to like or corresponding parts. I

Figure 1 shows my improved cartridge-box as it would appear while in use by a soldier. Fig. 2 is an outside perspective view with the cover or lid J raised or opened in the manner as indicated in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 shows'a perspective view of that partof the box which is next to the wearer while in use, also showing the cover or lid J closed. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the inside box or'draw on which the cartridges rest partly drawn out, also a part of the barrel within which the coil-spring is contained, substantially as hercinafter described and set forth. Fig. 5 shows the inside box or draw containing the cartridges, the coilspring, and the apron as it would appear when separate from the outside box or covering, A, and each more fully described hereinafter. Fig. 6 shows the inside box or draw as it would appear with the inner side removed, thus showing the barrel 0 and hereinafter described. Fig. 7 is an end view of the inside box or draw, B, showing the barrel 0, spring D, and apron E, also the bolt F, by which the apron is held in position while the box is being'filled with cartridges upon the said apron. Fig. Sis a perspective view showing the apron E, upon which the cartridges are placed, the end piece, I, which keepsthe cartridges upright and secure on said apron while being drawn from the box for use by the soldier, also the fastening H, by

which the apron is fastened to the barrel 0. Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the outside covering to the barrel 0 and spring 1).

The nature of my said invention consists in the employment of a cartridge-box constructed substantially as set forth in the accompanying drawings, and for the purposes herein specified, so that the same shall be water-proof,

more easily carried, more convenient in use,

more durable, more economical, and always to contain the required number of cartridges prior to the commencement of the use of th same by the soldier. It also consists in the employment of a coilspring, in combination with an apron and back piece thereto attached, for the purposes more fully hereinafter described.

It also consists in the employment of an inner box or draw containing the coil-spring, the apron with the vertical guide I attached to one end thereof, on which the cartridges are placed within said inner box, and operating substantially as herein described and-set forth. To enable others skilled in theart to make and use my said invention and improvements in cartridge-boxes, I will here proceed to describe the construction and operation thereof which is as follows, to wit:

I construct my improved cartridge-box of any size which may be deemed best, but that which I have generally found to be best is about fourteen (14) inches in length, and about one and one-half (1%) inch in length; but it is obvious that the size may be varied as deemed best without changing the principles of my invention.

My said improved cartridge-box consists of an outside and inside case, A and B, which may be made of galvanized iron, tin, sheetiron, or any other material which will answer the purpose required. I generally prefer galvanized iron, as being the most durable and economical. The outside box'or cover, A, may be covered or not, as deemed best. I generally prefer to cover it with leather or rub: her, but it is water-proof in either case. The covering may be of any thickness or quality desired. The inside box, B, Within which the cartridges are placed, I make of the same kind of material. I do not cover it in the manner and for the purpose I do the outside one. It may be made of lighter material than the outside one, if deemed best so to do. At

one end of said box or draw B, I attach a small box made of the same material as the said inside box, which extends below it about two inches, within which is contained the barre] 0 and coil-spring D. To said barrel 0, I attach by any suitable and convenient me chanical means an apron, E, which is made of leather, rubber, or other suitable material, and which extends along the bottom of the said inner box, 13. At the other and opposite end of said apron I attach by any suitable means an end piece, I, which is for the purpose of holding the cartridges in an upright position while being drawn from the said box. The spring 1), inside of the barrel 0, is made of steel or any other suitable material, and may be of any qu \lity or strength desired, and is fastened to the pivot L at one end and to the said barrel at the other end. The pivot L, to which the spring is fastened, is made of iron or other suitable material, and is made fast to the box M at each side by a screw.

When it is desired to fill the box with cartridges, the apron E is drawn out to its full capacity, and is made fast to the box M by the bolt 1. The box B is then filled with cartridges by placing them endwise upon the apron E, and the first ones so put in will be against the back piece, I. The bolt F is then raised, and the box 13 pushed in the outside box, A, and made fast by the flap N. It is then ready for use. It may be fastened to the soldier or person wearing it by means of the strap 0, Figs. 1, 2, and 3, or by any other convenient arrangement thought best.

By the use of my improved cartridge-box there is a great saving in cartridges, as by the use of the cartridge-boxes now in use a great many cartridges are lost while in the act of drawing them from the box, and, owing to the inconvenience of the covering thereof, they are very liable to get wet when it is raining, and are thereby destroyed, causing a loss -to the Government annually of a very large sum. By the use of my improved cartridge-box all these difficulties are obviated, and it also furnishes the soldier with a more convenient cartridge-box for use.

M y improved cartridge-box can be manufactured by machinery at a cost not to exceed those now in use by the Government of the United States, and ifnot covered with leather or rubber at a less cost, and possesses advan tages which recommend its general use, among which are the following: It is durable and not liable to get out of repair, but so a soldier could fix it without having it sent to the Government workshop, as is now the case. It is water-proof, and thus always protects the cartridges in wet weather. It is handy and convenient, and enables the soldier to fire more rapidly than is nowthe case with the cartridge-boxes which are now in use. 1 Its shape is such that'it can be carried with ease and comfort by the soldier or person wearing it. It has also the advantage of having the cartridges always in one place ready for use, and saves the trouble of removing the upper can when it is empty and replacing it by the lower one, as is now the caseinthe cartridge-boxes in use by the armies of the United States.

' Having thus described my said invention and improvements, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The employment of the apron E with the vertical end piece, I, thereto attached, in combination with the inner box, B, and the coilspring I), in the manner and for the purposes substantially as herein described and set forth.

2. The employment of the inner case, B, in combination with the outside case, A, substantially as and for the purposes herein described and set forth.

3. The removing of cartridges from the one end of the cartridge-box in the manner and by the means substantially as herein described and set forth.

In testimony whereof I have, on this 10th day of October, A. D. 186; hereto set my hand.

R. H. REILLY, UHARLESI). KELLUM. 

